Thalassemia Complications

β-Thalassemia Complications

• Transfusion-dependent (TD) patients with β-thalassemia are at risk of serious complications related to transfusion and disease, which can lead to end-organ damage.
• Over 10 years, 6% of patients developed at least 1 comorbidity, with cardiac disease being the most common (64% in the 45-49 year age group).
• Cardiac conditions in TD patients with β-thalassemia include atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and acute arrhythmia.

Transfusion Burden and Complications

• Greater transfusion burden is associated with more complications in TD patients with β-thalassemia.
• Patients were grouped into transfusion burden severity cohorts based on average number of RBC units per 12 weeks during follow-up: 0 RBC units, >0 to 12, 13-24, and ≥25 units.
• The study analyzed 612 TD patients with β-thalassemia, with comorbidities and mortality recorded over a 10-year period.

Study Design and Methodology

• The study used a retrospective analysis of ICD-10 diagnosis codes in the Hospital Episode Statistics database (admissions and outpatient attendance) at National Health Service hospitals in England.
• Patients were followed from their first hospital admission or outpatient appointment in 2009 until death in hospital, last hospital admission, or last outpatient appointment in 2018.

α-Thalassemia Complications

• Limited studies suggest that patients with α-thalassemia may experience complications similar to those of patients with β-thalassemia.